While the outfits aren't available just yet, that doesn't mean a few other things can't happen in the meantime.

First off, the holiday season has begun. Halloween right around the corner and Christmas not to far behind. That said, a somewhat familiar face is going to make her appearance once again to try and terrorize the Hive. You know her as Shadress.

For those unaware, Shadress is a mysterious entity that made her first appearance some time ago and for some reason mostly manifests when there is a surge of power or when Halloween is near. Don't ask why. It's one of the more unknown things about her.

Shadress seems to change her combat style slightly each time we see her. The biggest problem is her overwhelming power when she first appears. In the past it has taken getting her to at least 60% fatigue for it to be a fair fight. This time however she doesn't seem to be sporting that much power. She has sacrificed a massive portion of that power for an overwhelming amount of HP. What will make this particularly challenging is that once the first attack against her is initiated, you will be on a strict time limit to take her down.

If you put forth an noticeable effort to take her down, you will be rewarded. If you get the killing blow, you will receive some extra goodies. The killing blow is not required for the banner, but it will definitely make your chances better. Also Shadress will mostly stay on a square that is neutral so Avatars are able to phase to her more easily. If she has to move for whatever reason, the timer will pause until she relocates and people follow her.

Oh, and don't worry. I will get Zorg to add the Halloween costumes next time I see him

Halloween is over (despite what the Legacy banner tells you) and Shadress has vanished from the Hive for the time being. In the short time she was here, many of you challenged her. Ultimately, she was only impressed with a small handful of you. Those individuals were:

Shade, Mary, Persephone, UnicornBob, bigchaos, greggy, smythe, matt770, Zach, Merkleman, Mert, Pjay, blenok, Cartucho, Gryll, and motodragon

But of everyone who fought her, some of you actually brought her down.

Graponis, dagreek, Kage, crippler, and MrItrickzu

Those who defeated her were granted the Shadress banner, a Toolbox, and a Voodoo doll by default. Everyone else were sent items for participating.

Also want to give a special shoutout to Merkleman for despite not being an Avatar, kept attacking Shadress so she would gain fatigue so everyone else could dispatch her more easily

So Shadress has appeared a few more times and the Wasteland didn't break...neat. Also, I may act like it bothers me with the grief I'm getting for it, rest assured that I find it hilarious. 9 years to screw up and when I do, the playerbase refuses to let me live it down.

Anyway, I never clarified about what will come with fighting Shadress.

If you manage to put up a good fight and she deems you worthy, you will receive the banner for fighting her

Even if you come in at the end of the fight and manage to impress or defeat her, you can get the banner

Shadress has been loaded with a bunch of goodies that she will send to those she deems worthy at the end of Halloween

These can include a Voodoo Doll (which when used can give you a bunch of goodies). Also, she might...maybe...possibly...this is just a rumor...have a fancy little red box that is somewhat heavy and makes a lot of metallic clanking when shook

Also, I am still contemplating on what to do to try and make up for the near catastrophic Wasteland destruction. Feel free to offer suggestions in the comments

You pitiful mortals. Still as weak as I remember. If not weaker. Yet your arrogance knows no limit.

I will return for you. Those of you who are not prepared, will perish before me.